It can be hard to know what an effective marketing presence is for a small business. What are the digital touch points you need to bring customers to your door? We take you through the journey we follow when working with our customers.
Remember this doesn’t have to be done all at once. Like most businesses, traction is gained over time. Digital Marketing is no different. In this article, we will share what we do for our local clients when they launch their business,
Set up a Google My Business listing
Like the old ad in the yellow pages, Google My Business (GMB) is a free tool that allows businesses to manage their online presence on Google Search and Maps. When you are launching a new business our first step is to set up a Google My Business Listing. This free listing includes a number of features that can help local businesses attract new customers, including:
What's included?
A business profile on GMB includes your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, website, and photos. This information can help potential customers find your business and learn more about what you offer.
Get Reviews:
Customers can leave reviews of your business on GMB. Positive reviews can help attract new customers and build trust with existing customers.
Update Customers:
You can use GMB to post updates about your business, such as new products or services, special offers, or events. Posts can help you stay top-of-mind with potential customers.
Receive Messages:
Customers can message you directly through GMB. This can be a great way to answer questions, resolve issues, and provide customer service.
Adds a Location Pins on Google Maps:
A location pin on Google Maps is a small icon that marks the location of a business on the map. Location pins are helpful for small businesses because they can help customers find their businesses more easily. When customers search for a business on Google Maps, the location pin will appear on the map, making it easy for them to see where the business is located. This can help businesses attract new customers and increase sales.
Be active on social media:
Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers and build brand awareness. Make sure you're active on the social media platforms that your target audience uses. Share interesting and engaging content, and respond to comments and questions.
Here are some tips for posting on social media effectively:
Post regularly on social media.
By posting on social media, you can reach a wider audience, build brand awareness, generate leads and sales, provide customer service, and engage with your audience. All of these things can help you grow your business.Start by picking one channel and keeping up a regular presence. Your website and your social media can be linked so that updating your social media updates your website as well.
Post interesting and engaging content:
People are more likely to engage with content that is interesting and engaging. Make sure your posts are relevant to your target audience and that they are visually appealing.
Use social media analytics:
Social media analytics can help you track your progress and see what is working and what is not. Use this information to adjust your strategy as needed.
Be patient: It takes time to build a following on social media. Don't expect to see results overnight. Just keep posting great content and engaging with your audience, and you will eventually see results.
Track your results:
It's important to track your results so you can see what's working and what's not. There are a number of different tools available to help you track your results, such as Google Analytics. You can get the help of a specialist marketer like Harbour Digital to identify what will work for you.
Have a website:
Your website is your online storefront, so it's important to make sure it's well-designed and informative. Your website should include your business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and a description of your products or services. You should also include photos and videos of your products or services, as well as testimonials from past customers. We often start with a simple single-page website to get you started and build on this overtime.
Make sure your website is mobile-friendly:
More and more people are using their smartphones and tablets to access the internet, so it's important to make sure your website is mobile-friendly. That means making it easy for people to read and contact you from a mobile phone, To check out how you can do this just pull your website up on your phone.
Is it easy to read?
Is it easy to find a location?
Can people get in touch easily?
Use high-quality images and videos:
High-quality images and videos can help make your website more visually appealing and engaging. You can either buy these from a local photographer or source them from a range of digital image sites,
Keep your website up-to-date:
Make sure your website is up-to-date with the latest information about your business, products, and services. You can spend an awful lot of time creating a new product or getting a new line in. Is that reflected on your website?
Optimise your website for search engines:
Search engine optimisation (SEO) can help your website rank higher in search results, which can lead to more traffic. There are a number of things you can do to improve your website's SEO, such as using relevant keywords and phrases throughout your website content.
Get involved in your community:
Not all marketing is online. In a local community, it can help to get involved by attending events, sponsoring local organizations, and donating to local charities. This can help you build brand awareness and connect with potential customers.
By following these tips, you can create an effective digital presence for your small business that will help you reach your target audience, build brand awareness, and generate leads and sales.
If you would like to put in place a local business launch plan, reach out to the Harbour Digital team and we’ll do it for you. Call Kylie on 0425 269 695 for a free marketing plan to see what this might look like for you.